Review: Novotel Melaka
Sep 21, 2015, 9:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SIN
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum, QR Gold, KrisFlyer Elite Gold
Posts: 96
Review: Novotel Melaka
I reached early at about 12 noon on the 2nd day of its opening on 21 Sep. Had a great welcome by the FO manager, Mr Lim who brought me to the Premier Lounge to have a rest and drink while he personally oversaw the preparation of my upgraded room(from Superior King to Premier Suite) and came back in about 15 mins to lead me to my room.
Room size is 2x floor area of Superior. Separate living area with TV and writing desk, 2 WCs, one bathtub with a separate overhead rain shower. Air conditioning is slightly noisy. WIFI is of decent speed.
Premier lounge: No alcohols or cocktails for evening happy hour as they have yet obtained the approval for licence. Good variety of snacks and juices.
Similar view of Straits of Malacca from room and lounge so I believe I must have been upgraded to one of the best room in the hotel!
Breakfast at lounge is from 7 to 10.30am. 5 hot dishes including egg order and fried rice, a good selection of bread and pastries, juices, cold dishes including salad, muesli and cheese(forgot which type).
Overall:
Hotel grounds: 8/10. Spacious hotel with decent sized gym but small pool
Room: 9/10 for double upgrading and brand new room
Lounge breakfast: 8/10. Comparing like with like, it is slightly better than Novotel KL.
Room rate: Opening promotional rates, value for money for a brand new hotel with its seemingly good treatment of Plat members
Location: 7/10 for a short 3-5 min walk required to main shopping area, a further 5 min to the popular Jonker Walk for restaurants and bars. Would recommend walking to explore this UNESCO heritage town.
Room size is 2x floor area of Superior. Separate living area with TV and writing desk, 2 WCs, one bathtub with a separate overhead rain shower. Air conditioning is slightly noisy. WIFI is of decent speed.
Premier lounge: No alcohols or cocktails for evening happy hour as they have yet obtained the approval for licence. Good variety of snacks and juices.
Similar view of Straits of Malacca from room and lounge so I believe I must have been upgraded to one of the best room in the hotel!
Breakfast at lounge is from 7 to 10.30am. 5 hot dishes including egg order and fried rice, a good selection of bread and pastries, juices, cold dishes including salad, muesli and cheese(forgot which type).
Overall:
Hotel grounds: 8/10. Spacious hotel with decent sized gym but small pool
Room: 9/10 for double upgrading and brand new room
Lounge breakfast: 8/10. Comparing like with like, it is slightly better than Novotel KL.
Room rate: Opening promotional rates, value for money for a brand new hotel with its seemingly good treatment of Plat members
Location: 7/10 for a short 3-5 min walk required to main shopping area, a further 5 min to the popular Jonker Walk for restaurants and bars. Would recommend walking to explore this UNESCO heritage town.
Last edited by macabresg; Sep 21, 2015 at 9:48 pm
Sep 21, 2015, 11:22 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
Thank you MacabtreSg! I'm tossing up staying there this weekend or just to stay put at home.
But looks great and certainly a welcome addition to Malacca. I have stayed at the Casa del Rio twice, which is more a boutique hotel, but with a Accor property (with a lounge!) certainly will opt for this in the future.
But looks great and certainly a welcome addition to Malacca. I have stayed at the Casa del Rio twice, which is more a boutique hotel, but with a Accor property (with a lounge!) certainly will opt for this in the future.
Sep 26, 2015, 3:35 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SIN
Programs: Accor Plus Platinum l Best Western Diamond l Discovery Platinum l HHonors Diamond
Posts: 54
You may find more pictures and review of Novotel Melaka over at this link : http://www.takeabreak90s.com/2015/09...elaka.html?m=1
Oct 3, 2015, 4:10 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
Review: Novotel Melaka
The haze is not the hotel's fault.
Getting licenses in Malaysia (like in indonesia) is a hit and miss.
If you need alcohol, go to a 7 eleven or a pub.
Getting licenses in Malaysia (like in indonesia) is a hit and miss.
If you need alcohol, go to a 7 eleven or a pub.
Oct 3, 2015, 8:24 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Here
Programs: HHonors Diamond, AA EXP
Posts: 1,496
Dude please read the post carefully , never said it was anyone's fault except mine to have chosen this weekend..re alcohol license knowing a thing or two about the process, it purely sits with the hotel and how much they really want it. Guess they had easily 18-24 months to get it sorted..
Oct 3, 2015, 8:46 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ASIA
Programs: TK Elite, ALL Plus Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,530
Dude please read the post carefully , never said it was anyone's fault except mine to have chosen this weekend..re alcohol license knowing a thing or two about the process, it purely sits with the hotel and how much they really want it. Guess they had easily 18-24 months to get it sorted..
"how much you want it" in Malaysia is tied in most cases to corruption. If you want it faster, you $ for it. If I was a hotel manager I would also refuse to "speed up things".
Please post something related to the hotel once you have stayed the first few nights. Was the stay good/bad etc.
Apr 18, 2016, 1:45 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 1,799
I stayed here recently for 1 night. Won't post a proper review since the time spent in the hotel is quite minimal but I'll make a few notes on my observations.
Check-in was quite busy at 4.30pm, and there was no staff at the priority counter. However, there was a bunch of documents on the desk, so I assumed it is being used and the staff simply left the desk temporarily. I decided to proceed to the lounge to check-in on the 18th floor. There was no staff at the reception, and nobody was in sight inside the lounge (be it staff or customer). I ended up having to walk into the lounge and knock in the staff area to find someone to do the check-in. Late check-out was offered, but not taken. Drinks vouchers were given as well. The welcome drink voucher was presented at the bar in the lobby later that day, and it was a set non-alcoholic drink.
The room was upgraded one category, as per platinum benefits. I was quite lucky to be allocated a room facing the Straits of Melaka, as according to the floor plan, not many normal rooms face this direction, especially on the 18th floor. Although if you're getting a suite, your chances improve. Being a new hotel, the room was clean and spotless. AC was a little noisy, and the bathroom has a rain shower, but no bathtub. There is a very small desk, close by TV, to the point where it's probably not the best place to be if you want to catch up on some work.
Cocktails are now available in the lounge between 5.30 and 7.30, however, being my first time in Melaka, the sights were more tempting than a glass or 2 of alcohol so I didn't check out their offerings. I returned for breakfast next morning, however, and the lounge was at full capacity. Check-out at the lounge was fuss-free.
There is a gym and pool at the hotel as well, but I did not use these facilities on this visit.
Overall, it's a nice stay. The location is not too far away from the tourist areas, although one would do well to make use of the shopping malls on the way, especially on hot days. I'm looking at possibly coming back for another stay, and spend some time at the gym/pool as well.
Check-in was quite busy at 4.30pm, and there was no staff at the priority counter. However, there was a bunch of documents on the desk, so I assumed it is being used and the staff simply left the desk temporarily. I decided to proceed to the lounge to check-in on the 18th floor. There was no staff at the reception, and nobody was in sight inside the lounge (be it staff or customer). I ended up having to walk into the lounge and knock in the staff area to find someone to do the check-in. Late check-out was offered, but not taken. Drinks vouchers were given as well. The welcome drink voucher was presented at the bar in the lobby later that day, and it was a set non-alcoholic drink.
The room was upgraded one category, as per platinum benefits. I was quite lucky to be allocated a room facing the Straits of Melaka, as according to the floor plan, not many normal rooms face this direction, especially on the 18th floor. Although if you're getting a suite, your chances improve. Being a new hotel, the room was clean and spotless. AC was a little noisy, and the bathroom has a rain shower, but no bathtub. There is a very small desk, close by TV, to the point where it's probably not the best place to be if you want to catch up on some work.
Cocktails are now available in the lounge between 5.30 and 7.30, however, being my first time in Melaka, the sights were more tempting than a glass or 2 of alcohol so I didn't check out their offerings. I returned for breakfast next morning, however, and the lounge was at full capacity. Check-out at the lounge was fuss-free.
There is a gym and pool at the hotel as well, but I did not use these facilities on this visit.
Overall, it's a nice stay. The location is not too far away from the tourist areas, although one would do well to make use of the shopping malls on the way, especially on hot days. I'm looking at possibly coming back for another stay, and spend some time at the gym/pool as well.
Apr 18, 2016, 7:36 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Asia
Programs: Krisflyer, Enrich, Marco Polo, Accor, HHonors, IHG
Posts: 610
Not impressed. Lounge offering is poor at breakfast (made me cringe at that fried vermicelli) and they refused to give access to the main restaurant for breakfast, so platinum is stuck at this poor lounge. Evening canapes was equally poor as mentioned above, no alcohol served till now.
Apr 18, 2016, 8:59 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 1,799
Not impressed. Lounge offering is poor at breakfast (made me cringe at that fried vermicelli) and they refused to give access to the main restaurant for breakfast, so platinum is stuck at this poor lounge. Evening canapes was equally poor as mentioned above, no alcohol served till now.
Apr 18, 2016, 10:11 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SIN
Programs: Accor Plus Platinum l Best Western Diamond l Discovery Platinum l HHonors Diamond
Posts: 54
Recently I have 2 night stay as a platinum. The welcome drink voucher are non alcoholic drinks and only able to exchange at the lobby lounge. Was upgraded to premier club room. Tapas and alcohol was served during happy hour at the club lounge but tapas was limited and drinks too.
Was allow to have breakfast either at club lounge or at the main restaurant. Again main restaurant was normal. Didn't try out club lounge breakfast as it look limited in term of choices.
The most disappointing part was check in. Request to check in at club lounge was turn down by inexperienced front desk staff at the main lobby and have no clue about platinum benefits.
Was allow to have breakfast either at club lounge or at the main restaurant. Again main restaurant was normal. Didn't try out club lounge breakfast as it look limited in term of choices.
The most disappointing part was check in. Request to check in at club lounge was turn down by inexperienced front desk staff at the main lobby and have no clue about platinum benefits.
Apr 19, 2016, 2:05 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 1,799
It's not a listed benefit so some staff don't know about it. Level 18 is not locked by an access card so you can simply wander up without any interaction with the desk.
May 2, 2016, 6:29 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 407
Just returned from a 2 night stay at the Executive room.
Check-In: Reached at about 2pm, the lady at the front desk mentioned that I could go to the lounge to check in. No escort up the elevator. Check in was prompt at the lounge. Only nuts and fruit juices (from cartons), water and coffee were served.
Rooms: Room is similar to any other revamped Novotel out there. This is a new hotel so all is good, except that the water drains a little slowly. To be honest, the single beds were a little narrow. So go for the king bed if you have a choice.
Le Accor Benefits: Room was upgraded to the suite as I was a Gold member. Welcome amenity of some local sweets were presented after check-in. Fruit platter was in the suite with a personalised welcome by the GM. Late checkout was also granted till 2pm. However, welcome drink is a sad fruit punch
Lounge: Beer and wine served during cocktail hours. Food is very poor. Service was so-so. Sometimes you see staff just chilling out with the lady at the counter. However, there are others who really do their work well. There was this lady who remembered my name. Nevertheless, the lounge is conducive to do some work and just chilling out. Do note executive room does not equate to lounge access.
Gym and Pool: Generally okay and well equipped. Only gripe is that the neighbouring hotel oversees the pool and the gym.
Would I recommend?
Yes as I am a LCAH member. Location is good and there are lots of food options downstairs. However, if you are more keen to explore the Jonker area, do check out the rest of the boutique hotels there.
Check-In: Reached at about 2pm, the lady at the front desk mentioned that I could go to the lounge to check in. No escort up the elevator. Check in was prompt at the lounge. Only nuts and fruit juices (from cartons), water and coffee were served.
Rooms: Room is similar to any other revamped Novotel out there. This is a new hotel so all is good, except that the water drains a little slowly. To be honest, the single beds were a little narrow. So go for the king bed if you have a choice.
Le Accor Benefits: Room was upgraded to the suite as I was a Gold member. Welcome amenity of some local sweets were presented after check-in. Fruit platter was in the suite with a personalised welcome by the GM. Late checkout was also granted till 2pm. However, welcome drink is a sad fruit punch
Lounge: Beer and wine served during cocktail hours. Food is very poor. Service was so-so. Sometimes you see staff just chilling out with the lady at the counter. However, there are others who really do their work well. There was this lady who remembered my name. Nevertheless, the lounge is conducive to do some work and just chilling out. Do note executive room does not equate to lounge access.
Gym and Pool: Generally okay and well equipped. Only gripe is that the neighbouring hotel oversees the pool and the gym.
Would I recommend?
Yes as I am a LCAH member. Location is good and there are lots of food options downstairs. However, if you are more keen to explore the Jonker area, do check out the rest of the boutique hotels there.
Last edited by cowism; May 2, 2016 at 7:05 am